Monday, February 14, 2022
William G. Troiano, Jr.: 1946-2021
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Mon, Feb 14, 2022 at 6:00 AM
William G. Troiano, Jr, passed away after a brief illness on October 2, 2021, in Eureka, California. His passing has left his life partner, family, and friends with disbelief and sadness. Bill suffered from a heart condition and aspirated pneumonia, which came on suddenly and left us behind to wonder why the good have to leave us.
Born into this world on July 10, 1946, to William G. Troiano, Sr. and Ruth Troiano in Glendale, California, he grew up enjoying life and all that it held for him with annual trips to Yosemite with his parents, siblings, nieces, nephew and friends. Bill graduated from Glendale High in 1964 and realized his passion for design is where he needed to be so he attended and graduated college at Woodbury University from 1964-1967 with a degree in Interior Design. From there his career was to be set working at JW Robinson from 1967-1985, where he was an interior designer and consultant.
In 1985, Bill moved to Santa Barbara, California, to care for his mother. With some time on his hands, he was drawn to the Santa Barbara Historical Society, where he served on their board for six years, as well as overseeing two historical homes. From 1998- 2003 Bill was involved with the Pearl Chase Society of Santa Barbara where he served as a docent, also having his own home on one of the Pearl Chase Society Home Tours. While living in Santa Barbara, Bill expressed his love of interior design and collecting of antiques and would have numerous yard sales finely displaying his merchandise on clothed tables with lit lamps. His sales brought in dealers and customers alike to purchase his fine goods.
In 2003, Bill purchased his home in Eureka. After some renovations, and many trips back and forth from Santa Barbara, he moved to his new home in 2004. Bill soon became involved with several organizations, including the Eureka Heritage Society in which his home was on their annual home tour event in 2006. Bill would also join a local Splinter Group, the American Fuchsia Society, the Eureka Bonsai Society, Eureka Sequoia Garden Club and the American Rhododendron Society of Eureka where he was responsible for the annual silver polishing of their awards. Bill was also a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society and Prime Timers.
Bill’s enjoyment of collecting often found him at an estate sale, a thrift store or one of many yard sales locally. He would never leave a sale or thrift store without buying something, whether it be a small trinket to an antique item. He enjoyed cleaning his finds and making them beautiful again. Bill was an admirer of antique clocks and enjoyed collecting when he would find that special one, though it would be hard to find him arrive early for anything. As a creature of habit, Bill enjoyed his Saturday luncheons with his group of friends as well as his weekly drives exploring the many wonderful sites of Humboldt County, often to end up parked at a favorite spot by the ocean or bay to watch a beautiful sunset. Bill loved to visit Victoria, B.C., Canada where he thoroughly loved the Victorian architecture, Butchart Gardens, and the Craigdarroch Castle mansion.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William G. Troiano, Sr. and Ruth Troiano, brother Jerry Rehfield, sister Diane Grassmueck, partner Donald Bjorkman, husband William Furst and many beloved pets. Left behind is his life partner Randy Eaton, nephew Michael Grassmueck (wife Theresa), niece Jeri Welbourn (husband Dennis), niece Diane Rehfield (husband Mark), grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins and many friends from Glendale, Santa Barbara, and here in the Eureka area.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal”
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